Normally, I don't talk about the casino action happening outside of Vegas, but the upcoming launch of Borgata in Atlantic City could have tremendous implications for the future of Sin City so it's worth taking a look.

Borgata is a $1 billion cooperative venture between MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming, two of the biggest powerhouse players in the Las Vegas arena. It's success or failure could play a big part in what kind of money those companies are willing to spend on The Strip for future development.

MGM Mirage, operator of Bellagio, Mirage, MGM Grand, and others has indicated that if Borgata does well it could encourage the company to finally move forward on redeveloping the land just south of Bellagio that could include the existing Boardwalk Casino.

Boyd Gaming may finally take action on its long-desired plan to redevelop The Stardust or drop some more money on downtown hotels like The California or Fremont.

Of course, if Borgata doesn't do well, all of those plans could be in jeopardy. So a lot is riding on the new hotel, not the least of which is the future of Atlantic City itself. As the first major hotel-casino to open there in more than 13 years, the city is hoping to pump some much needed energy, attention, and traffic into the area, which may encourage more big developments. It has already spurred existing casinos to spruce up their operations, with millions of dollars being thrown at improvements.

Borgata will feature just over 2,000 rooms ranging from "classic" rooms to 5,000-square-foot residences. Each is outfitted with Bellagio-level furnishings and amenities, including marble bathrooms with two-person showers, floor-to-ceiling windows, high-speed Internet access, and more. Preview photos of the rooms indicate they will be understated yet elegant, sort of what you'd expect at hotels like Mirage or Mandalay Bay. Rates will be Bellagio-level as well, with prices beginning around $179 and going up from there.

The 120,000-square-foot casino will feature more than 3,500 coinless slots, using the ticket-in, ticket-out technology that is rapidly advancing in Vegas. In an attempt to distinguish itself from the more pedestrian casinos, all of the Borgata slots will feature plush chairs with foot rests, and the gaming tables will have fewer seats for more elbow room.

The property will feature 11 restaurants, ranging from celeb-chef Luke Palladino's Specchio Italian eatery to buffets and bistros. Many of the in-house restaurants will be supplied with food from their very own farms and feature wine from the only casino wine-cellar in Atlantic City.

Several theaters and bars will provide entertainment, although at this point there will be no permanent show but rather rotating headliners and concerts.

A lush pool and gardens area borders the super-luxurious spa and salon area for those who need to be pampered. Or, if you feel like pampering yourself in a different way you can check out any of the high-end retail with name brands like DKNY, Prada, Cartier, and more.

Borgata is scheduled to open in early July, although no official date has been released. For more information and reservations visit, theborgata.com.

This Week's Trivia

Q: In what years did the original Aladdin hotel open and close? ANSWER

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